Capcom kicks off what looks to be a torrent of updated classics this year with 1492: Joint Strike. An updated version of their much loved arcade hit 1942. Dose this upgrade fly high or dose it go down in smoke? Read farther to check out the full review.
For those newcomers with no previous knowledge 1942 is a 2D top down World War two themed shoot-em-up. Each level your lone plane will fight off wave after wave of enemies and tackle gigantic bosses. 1942: Joint Strike is more a sequel then an remake.
The whole game is presented with slick looking 3D visuals but is played for a classic top down 2d perspective. Enemies, explosions and environment all look nice. They are far from amazing but they are very good for a top down shooter. A few time during the game you get a small cutscene of your plane flying in low over some terrain or battleship and it really lets you see some of the detail that went into the stages.
You’ll also have a few choices for the sweet ride your gonna pilot. The 3 aircraft to chose from all have different ratings for attack, defense, and special power. And while the differences between them isn’t huge it is enough to give the game some extra replayability and help you play to your strengths. Like most shooters as you fly through the levels your pick up power-ups. Here these don’t just make you shots stronger but they can drastically changes the way you tackle enemies. The laser shot is great for cutting thought enemy formations, but lacks the coverage of the spread shot. Better chose wisely.
The biggest addition to this game is the team work element. You will each be able to use a secondary attack called a Joint Strike. You will have a few choices to pick on these as well, such as Chain Lighting, which? connects your ships with a long net of energy frying any who might get entangled. Using this system leads to some good team work but doesn’t put it center stage so that an online game with an uncooperative stranger will ruin the experience.
All told 1942: Joint Strike is more then competent, and the new mechanics give the game just enough of a fresh feeling. Joint Strike also comes in a bit on the short side. It is also a lot easier then other games in the genre, don’t look for the difficulty if Ikaruga here.
8 years since the last game in the series, and more then two decades since the original Capcom has gone out and made a new entry in a long running franchise feel fresh and fun, yes still have the touch of nostalgia classic gamers crave. While not a must buy, you could do a lot worse for ten bucks on Live Arcade.
+ Great co-op gameplay
+ Worthy update to the 1942 series
+ Good visuals
- Only six stages
- Little on the easy side
Grade: B